Shelter-in-place order issued following US refinery fire
A fire at Martinez Refining Company in California has left six individuals injured, prompting authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Six workers were injured in a fire at the Martinez Refining Company in California.
A significant fire broke out at the refinery Saturday, leading to a shelter-in-place order for nearby neighborhoods due to air quality concerns. This order has since been lifted.
According to local media outlet Mercury News, the blaze was sparked by a hydrocarbon leak that triggered an explosion. The fire was described as “burning ferociously,” with an unknown amount of fuel still present, as stated by Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Bob Atlas. He also noted that the smoke could become toxic at some point.
Videos circulating on social media show the production facility engulfed in flames with large plumes of black smoke drifting into surrounding areas.
In a statement, the Martinez Refining Company reported that six injuries had occurred; four individuals were transported from the scene, while two received treatment on site and were released.
Sirens could be heard as the refinery continued to burn for hours, prompting local air quality alerts for Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde, as documented by journalist Jack Molmud.
The Martinez Refining Company notified authorities of the fire at 1:47 PM local time, emphasizing that it could impact individuals with respiratory issues in neighboring areas. They added that their HAZMAT team is evaluating potential community health effects.
Local health authorities later reported an improvement in air quality around the refinery. However, a Public Health Advisory remained in effect for parts of Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde as of 2:45 PM.
The San Francisco Chronicle noted, referencing the state’s Office of Emergency Services, that the fire led to the release of at least 500 pounds of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Contra Costa officials, as cited by the newspaper, confirmed that the refinery, operated by PBF Energy, will be required to submit a report analyzing the fire's root causes in accordance with Martinez’s Industrial Safety Ordinance.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
A significant fire broke out at the refinery Saturday, leading to a shelter-in-place order for nearby neighborhoods due to air quality concerns. This order has since been lifted.
According to local media outlet Mercury News, the blaze was sparked by a hydrocarbon leak that triggered an explosion. The fire was described as “burning ferociously,” with an unknown amount of fuel still present, as stated by Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Battalion Chief Bob Atlas. He also noted that the smoke could become toxic at some point.
Videos circulating on social media show the production facility engulfed in flames with large plumes of black smoke drifting into surrounding areas.
In a statement, the Martinez Refining Company reported that six injuries had occurred; four individuals were transported from the scene, while two received treatment on site and were released.
Sirens could be heard as the refinery continued to burn for hours, prompting local air quality alerts for Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde, as documented by journalist Jack Molmud.
The Martinez Refining Company notified authorities of the fire at 1:47 PM local time, emphasizing that it could impact individuals with respiratory issues in neighboring areas. They added that their HAZMAT team is evaluating potential community health effects.
Local health authorities later reported an improvement in air quality around the refinery. However, a Public Health Advisory remained in effect for parts of Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde as of 2:45 PM.
The San Francisco Chronicle noted, referencing the state’s Office of Emergency Services, that the fire led to the release of at least 500 pounds of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere. Contra Costa officials, as cited by the newspaper, confirmed that the refinery, operated by PBF Energy, will be required to submit a report analyzing the fire's root causes in accordance with Martinez’s Industrial Safety Ordinance.
Allen M Lee contributed to this report for TROIB News
